‘A Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change’ is an informative resource that is worth noting. It provides an exceptional introduction to Climate Change and presents valid and interesting information in regards to the impacts associated with this change and the solutions/preventions individuals can take to help slow the process. It is interactive by nature, easy to navigate and uses simplistic language appropriate for students in Stage 3. Teachers must demonstrate sensitivity when teaching about climate change, as the concept can be quite overwhelming and potentially upsetting to children – this resource, specifically targeted at children, does not represent a confronting view and is purely informative.
Student’s gain a global perspective and understand that Climate Change is affecting the whole world and not just the country in which we live. This is important in deciphering the severity and scale of this phenomenon.
Teaching Idea: As a class, brainstorm other changes in the environment as a result of the human population/mankind eg deforestation, species extinction, pollution, whaling, oil spills, development etc. Divide students into groups of five and allocate them a particular topic to investigate and present a PowerPoint presentation to the class.
Assessment Task: Students will complete an information report. They will commence with a scaffold provided by the classroom teacher with questions to be answered using the information presented on the website (comprehension based). Students will then write a report, which will be handed in and graded for assessment purposes. As part of the criteria, they must write in correct format of a report, thus creating a cross-curricula link to literacy. “Integrating the internet into the curriculum is a major step that teachers can take to provide their students with opportunities to develop literacy skills.” (Winch, 2010, p. 400)
Winch, G., Johnston, R., March, P., Ljungdahl, L., & Holliday, M. (2010). Literacy : reading, writing and children’s literature (4th ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.